‘Why I chose this’
I shot this on a 35mm from a lower angle. The light was even, and I wanted it to feel like something out of the Hotel Chelsea archives. A little 70s, a little timeless.
Pre-Production
I prepped by pulling mood boards inspired by vintage Chelsea Hotel archives and the raw edge of 70s photography. Think Mapplethorpe, Warhol, raw flash, and real intimacy. I kept the gear light and leaned into that nostalgic feeling of the space.
Gear and Details
Gear: (2) Canon R5s, 35mm f1.4, 50mm f1.2, 16-35mm f2.8, Canon EX580 Flash, Profoto A2 (off-camera flash)
Coverage: 8 hours
Shooter: 1 photographer + 1 assistant
Venue: Hotel Chelsea, Manhattan, NYC
Getting Ready
I arrived early to soak up the energy. (arriving early is an easy pro tip). Jasmine had that rare mix of model poise and spontaneous play. She started walking across the bed and it felt too good not to shoot. Later, we did touch-ups right there on the bed—it was cheeky, intimate, and completely her. The goal was never to stage anything too hard. Just let the room live and breathe.
Ceremony
The indoor ceremony was tightly lit and cozy—a winter wedding in Manhattan. Space was limited, but we worked with what we had. I used flash throughout to keep things crisp but warm. The floating chuppah, with Jaf’s tallit woven into the florals, all the elements came together perfectly.
Portraits
We braved a rooftop windchill hovering around 0 degrees for their portraits. A bold move, but completely worth it. It felt cinematic, charged, and strangely intimate… just them, the cold, and the city that brought them together.
As Jaf put it, “The Hotel Chelsea is where art, history, and love collide.” And that’s exactly what it felt like. This wasn’t just a wedding that happened to be set there—it belonged there. Every corner of that hotel whispered stories, and this one fit right in: bold, stylish, unafraid of a little chaos, and deeply romantic.
‘Why I chose this’
I don’t usually tilt, but I’ve been leaning into it when the subject moves that way. It’s like dancing with the frame. Not random, but rhythmic somehow.
‘Why I chose this’
I used an off-camera flash to light them against the Hotel Chelsea sign, then dragged the shutter to let the streetlights below streak through the background. That mix of still and motion hit the mood just right.
Reception
This space was dripping with character… vintage furniture, candlelight, berry-toned florals, and that unmistakable Hotel Chelsea charm. The styling was luxe but not stuffy. I used flash when it got really dark, but mostly let the candlelight do the work.
The reception, orchestrated by renown wedding planner Tamara Kogen and Cindy Altunis, married opulence with warmth. Vintage-inspired crystal, lace-edged plates, and candlelight framed berry-toned florals and cascading grapes for a design that felt both rich and intimate.
Another unexpected favorite came while they were mingling and eating. I was setting up, then quickly turned and caught this candid moment that said everything.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the magic came from letting go. Instead of directing too much, I focused on setting the scene and giving Jasmine and Jaf space to just be. Playful, stylish, deeply connected… they didn’t need much prompting. I could set my frames and let it happen a little bit.
Credits
Photography: Jaymo Jaymes
Venue: Hotel Chelsea
Planner: Cindy Altunis Events
& Florals: Aramat Events
Hair: David Cruz
Makeup: Tara Pagliara
